Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Introduction to Waste (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Sources & Types of Waste
The use of natural resources generates waste
This waste can be classified by source or type
Sources of waste
Domestic waste:
Waste generated from households, including food scraps, packaging and broken items
Industrial waste:
Produced by factories and industries, such as chemicals, metals and manufacturing by-products
Agricultural waste:
Created by farming activities, including animal manure, crop residues and empty containers from chemicals like pesticides and herbicides
Types of waste
E-waste:
Electronic waste, such as old computers, mobile phones and televisions
E-waste contains toxic materials like lead and mercury
Food waste:
Edible food that is discarded, often due to over-purchasing or spoilage
Biohazardous waste:
Dangerous waste from hospitals or laboratories, such as medical equipment, needles and blood products (e.g. blood or plasma samples)
Solid Domestic Waste
Solid domestic waste (SDW) refers to the non-liquid waste produced in homes
SDW typically includes a wide variety of materials, making it a challenge to manage and recycle
Common components of solid domestic waste
Paper: newspapers, magazines and packaging materials
Cardboard: packaging boxes and containers
Glass: bottles and jars
Metal: aluminium cans and tin containers
Plastics: bottles, food containers and plastic bags
Organic waste: food scraps, garden clippings and other biodegradable materials
Packaging: items such as plastic wrap, Styrofoam and boxes
Construction debris: waste from home repairs or renovations, such as bricks and wood
Clothing: old or unwanted clothes and textiles
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Don't confuse SDW with other types of waste: solid domestic waste is just one category. Be clear when discussing SDW versus industrial or agricultural waste.
Volume & Composition of Waste
The volume and composition of waste vary across time and between societies
Numerous factors play a role in this
Factors influencing waste volume and composition
Socio-economic factors
Wealthier societies often generate more waste
This is due to:
Higher consumption levels
Single-use products
Excessive packaging
Culture of convenience
Fast fashion
For example, high-income countries like the United States generate more waste per person compared to lower-income countries like India
Lower-income countries may produce less waste
However, they often have less capacity to manage it properly
Political factors
Government policies can impact waste production, such as:
Recycling laws
Waste taxes
Bans on certain materials
Landfill regulations
Countries with strong waste management policies tend to have lower levels of unmanaged waste
For example, the European Union's ban on single-use plastics has reduced plastic waste in member countries
Environmental Factors
Environmental awareness can lead to reduced waste, such as more recycling or composting programmes
Geographical location:
Popular tourist destinations experience high amounts of waste production during peak seasons
Large amounts of crop waste follow harvest seasons in the agricultural sector
Natural disasters can also increase the amount of waste generated
For example, after powerful hurricanes, large volumes of construction and debris waste can be generated during rebuilding efforts
Technological Factors
Advancements in technology can reduce waste, such as:
Creating biodegradable plastics
More efficient recycling methods
However, the rapid pace of technological advancements causes large amounts of electronic waste
This is because consumers want to regularly update their devices to newer versions with better features
Renewable energy sources can also produce large amounts of electronic waste, e.g. old or damaged solar panels and wind turbine blades
New products can also increase waste if they are designed for short-term use (e.g. disposable electronics such as e-cigarettes or vapes)
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